Hundreds of classics descend on Stratford’s celebration of motoring

| 7 May 2013

More than 240 cars headed to Shakespeare country for the inaugural Stratford Festival of Motoring from 5-6 May.

The event attracted vehicles ranging from a 1964 Ferrari 330GT to a 1983 Audi quattro and a 2013 Aston Martin Vanquish.

Local museums, including the Heritage Motor Centre and Coventry Transport Museum, were also out in force.

The former brought with it Paddy Hopkirk’s 1964 Monte Carlo Rally-winning Mini Cooper ‘S’, the world’s first Land-Rover (from 1948) and a 1913 Morris Oxford Bullnose.

CTM showed a 1934 Hillman Minx, a 1953 Austin Three Way Van and a 1966 Alvis TD21.

Winner of Best Presented Car was Stephen Gray for his 1928 Hadfield Bean 14/45 Saloon, while the Mayor’s Choice went to Michael Chapman’s 1923 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost.

Bernd Bruncken, who drove from Germany in his 1964 Bentley S3, won the award for Furthest Travelled, while Steve Johnson’s 1959 MGA was victorious in the treasure hunt.

Two paddocks in Bancroft Gardens featured cars such as a 1974 Rolls-Royce Corniche Drophead, which was once owned by the billionaire arms dealer Adnan Khashoggi, and a 1957 Aston Martin DB2/4 MkII.

The Aston originally belonged to the chairman of BP and sported a Deep Carriage Green finish as a result.

Elsewhere in the town, cars such as a superb 1921 Talbot Darracq and a stunning 1923 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost wowed the crowds.

A display of Jaguars included replica C and D-Types, plus an E-Type. They were joined by the company’s latest offering – the F-type – which caused a flurry of interest among potential buyers.